[stylist] listening to your gut

[Chris Kuell]

Hello,

Thanks for sharing your story, Barbara. I can only imagine how difficult
those years were for you and your family. Scientifically speaking, I find it
fascinating that one twin had the HPV, and the other didn't. Perhaps that
was God's way of cutting you a little slack. Smile.


As some of you know, I used to be a research chemist working for a Swiss
pharmaceutical company. It was my job to study various health problems and
try to develop new compounds to fight them. I believe in medicine, and as a
long time diabetic and kidney transplant patient, I wouldn't be here today
without them. However, having said that, I am very cautious with
medications, and encourage everyone else to do so as well. It is well
documented that Americans spend something like 5 times more than any other
country, per capita, on medications. Pharmaceutical companies feed into our
fears and make us think we must have this or that. One example that comes to
mind is Vanda and their non-24 sleep medication for people who are blind. In
my opinion, this is simply a money-maker for Vanda. Biologically speaking,
sunlight enters the eyes of an average human being, which starts a cycle in
which melatonin is produced. This compound helps regulate the circadian
rhythm and lets your body know it's night and time for sleep. When a person
is totally blind, they stop producing melatonin, and therefore sometimes
have sleep issues. Now, melatonin can be purchased over the counter--I think
I pay like $3 for 250 days' worth, and it definitely helps me sleep more
regularly. There is no need for big pharma to make money off my sleep cycle.

As for anti-depressants, I know a number of people who benefit greatly from
them. In fact, I got a phone call at 1:30 last night (this morning) from a
friend who must not be taking her meds, and her mania was off the charts. At
the same time, when I lost my sight, my career, many of my friends, I became
what could best be called 'depressed'. My wife insisted I talk to someone,
which I did. The doctor said I would benefit from taking an anti-depressant,
which I refused. I said, "I just went blind, and my whole world got turned
upside down. Don't you think it's normal to feel depressed? How am I going
to work through this if I'm sedated?"

Similarly, my wife lost her mother, who she was very close to, four years
ago. It was very hard on her, and her grief was difficult. I can't tell you
how many people suggested she get on an anti-depressant. Her feeling, and
mine, is that grief is a natural part of life. It has a purpose, and dulling
yourself to it isn't the best way to come to grips with the new reality of a
life without your loved one.   

The tremendous increase in cases of cancer and  the increased occurance of
things like autism in our children make me very wary of the foods we eat and
the environments in which we live. Like global climate change, there are
many who deny it, but my gut tells me we are poisoning ourselves. This topic
could be the length of several books, but in short, my family tries to live
by the rule--if God made it, it's okay to eat. By that, I mean non-processed
foods. Meats (organic is best, but even that is questionable), fresh fruits
and veggies, rice, potatoes, and so on. Before I was a research chemist I
worked at a place that made artificial flavors and fragrances, and my advice
is--stay clear of them.
   
Helen, I enjoyed your gut bacteria piece, but I'm going to pass on that
writing prompt. After Atty posted about vaginal births and kimchee I had
some really warped ideas that would probably best not be recorded.    

Peace,

Chris